MajorsDec 19, 2025
MadaLuxe Group Acquires Ippolita The luxury goods company said founder Ippolita Rostagno will remain at the brand’s helm.
SourcingOct 17, 2017
AMNH to Completely Redesign Gem and Mineral Halls
New York City’s American Museum of Natural History is giving the exhibits a facelift in time to celebrate its 150th anniversary.
The renovation of the gem and mineral halls at the American Museum of Natural History will include a redesigned gem gallery, featuring a case containing the museum’s most precious gems.
New York--The gem and mineral halls at New York City’s American Museum of Natural History will soon be getting a facelift.
The museum announced Monday morning that it will undertake a complete redesign of the halls, transforming the 11,000-square-foot space into a “gleaming showcase” for the world-renowned collection.
Construction will begin when the current halls close on Oct. 26.
The American Museum of Natural History is home to about 105,000 minerals and 5,000 gems.
The specimens there have been displayed in several different galleries over the years. Until 1974, the J. Pierpont Morgan Memorial Hall of Minerals and Gems on the 4 floor was the primary display area. Then in May 1976, the current Morgan Memorial Hall of Gems and Harry Frank Guggenheim Hall of Minerals opened on the first floor.
Now, the exhibits will be renamed for Roberto and Allison Mignone, longstanding supporters of and volunteers at the museum.
The redesigned halls will aim to tell the story of how the different types of minerals arose on the planet, how scientists classify them and how humans have fashioned them into gems and used them for personal adornment, tools and technology throughout history, curated by George Harlow, who also serves as curator of the museum’s Division of Physical Sciences.
“Forty-plus years ago, when the current galleries were designed, scientists had not yet begun to explore the concept of mineral evolution,” he said. “Today, we work within a different framework, where much of the diversity of minerals on our dynamic planet is directly connected to the evolution of life. Our new exhibits will allow us to tell how the story of minerals is linked with their natural environment and biology on the one hand and with culture and technology on the other.”
The Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals will feature new large-scale acquisitions, like the 563-carat Star of India sapphire and the 632-carat Patricia emerald, as well as pieces from the collection that haven’t been on display for decades.
What the “Crystal Garden” main exhibition area will look like when it opens. It will feature signature large-scale specimens from around the world.
The Crystalline Pass will connect the Mignone Halls of Gems and Minerals to the new Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education and Innovation.
This 12-foot-tall amethyst geode, recently acquired from Uruguay, will stand in the Grand Gallery through the holiday season, and then will be a centerpiece in the new halls when they open in 2019.
A shot of the Harry Frank Guggenheim Hall of Minerals as it looks now
Other elements currently planned for the new halls are a “Crystal Garden” main exhibition area with large-scale specimens from around the world and zones that highlight a variety of processes and environments that shape mineral formation; a gem gallery with a case featuring the museum’s most precious gems; a case dedicated to the minerals of New York City, including the “Subway Garnet;” a dedicated space for temporary exhibitions; and a fluorescence and phosphorescence gallery.
Harlow also told press Monday morning that they’re hoping to add birthstones to the museum’s display and a section that looks at the process of taking a mineral from rough to polished gem.
And where it previously formed a cul-de-sac in the museum, the exhibit now will have a passage to the new Center for Science, Education and Innovation to allow for the better flow of museum guests.
To celebrate the redesign, the museum unveiled one of the new halls’ featured specimens, a 12-foot-tall amethyst geode, which was recently acquired from Uruguay and which will be on temporary view in the museum’s Grand Gallery through the 2017 holiday season.
The museum said the piece, which will be a centerpiece in the new halls once they are open, is among the largest amethyst geodes in the world.
The renovation of the Halls of Gems and Minerals, designed by Ralph Appelbaum Associates, comes as part of a series of physical and programmatic enhancements to the historic parts of the museum as it gets ready to celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2019. The Halls are expected to open that year.
And where it previously formed a cul-de-sac in the museum, the exhibit now will have a passage to the new Center for Science, Education and Innovation to allow for the better flow of museum guests.
To celebrate the redesign, the museum unveiled one of the new halls’ featured specimens, a 12-foot-tall amethyst geode, which was recently acquired from Uruguay and which will be on temporary view in the museum’s Grand Gallery through the 2017 holiday season.
The museum said the piece, which will be a centerpiece in the new halls once they are open, is among the largest amethyst geodes in the world.
The renovation of the Halls of Gems and Minerals, designed by Ralph Appelbaum Associates, comes as part of a series of physical and programmatic enhancements to the historic parts of the museum as it gets ready to celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2019. The Halls are expected to open that year.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
MajorsDec 19, 2025
LVMH Names New Bulgari CEOLaura Burdese, who joined the Italian luxury brand in 2022, will take on the role in July.
EditorsDec 19, 2025
2025 Jewelry Superlatives: A Yearbook-Style Year in Review The National Jeweler editors revisit the most noteworthy industry happenings and design trends from 2025.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
AuctionsDec 19, 2025
Jean Schlumberger’s ‘African Cat’ Is Purr-Fection Need a gift for the cat lover who has everything? Look no further than our latest Piece of the Week.
Weekly QuizDec 18, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsDec 18, 2025
Audemars Piguet Reclaims Historic Pocket Watch at AuctionIt purchased the “Grosse Pièce,” an ultra-complicated Audemars Piguet pocket watch from the ‘20s, for a record-breaking price at Sotheby’s.
Lab-GrownDec 18, 2025
Kira Jewels Debuts Custom Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry ServiceThe lab-grown diamond grower now offers custom engagement and fashion jewelry through its Kira Custom Lab Jewelry service.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
EditorsDec 18, 2025
Terry Chandler Looks Back on 40 Years of Opportunity, Change, and FriendsChandler got his start at Michelson Jewelers and has served as DCA president and CEO since 2001. He will retire at the end of the month.
WatchesDec 18, 2025
Bob’s Watches to Open Store in New York’s JFK AirportThe boutique is slated to open this week inside Terminal 8, offering pre-owned Rolex watches and more to international travelers.
Supplier BulletinDec 18, 2025
Cell Jammers Are Targeting Your Business. Here's How to Beat ThemSponsored by Digital Monitoring Products
CrimeDec 17, 2025
Man Pleads Not Guilty to Swallowing Fabergé PendantThe special-edition egg pendant ingested in a New Zealand jewelry store was recovered after a six-day wait.
EditorsDec 17, 2025
2025 Jewelry Rewind: The Best Piece of the Week PicksAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco plays favorites with Piece of the Week, selecting a standout piece of jewelry from each month of 2025.
CollectionsDec 17, 2025
Lucy Hale Stars in Jacquie Aiche’s Holiday CampaignThe “Love and Desire” campaign is inspired by the magic that follows when one’s heart leads the way, said the brand.
GradingDec 17, 2025
SSEF Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersTwo awardees will receive free tuition for an educational course at the Swiss lab, with flights and lodging included.
MajorsDec 16, 2025
Pandora’s New CEO Will Step Up EarlyBerta de Pablos-Barbier will replace Alexander Lacik at the start of January, two months earlier than expected.
AuctionsDec 16, 2025
Suzanne Belperron, JAR Shine in Sotheby’s First Auctions at New HQSotheby’s held its first two jewelry sales at the Breuer building last week, and they totaled nearly $44 million.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
TJS Now Accepting Scholarship Applications for 2026Winners will receive free registration and lodging for its fourth annual event in Detroit.
ColumnistsDec 16, 2025
Beyond Unboxing: Creative Reveals to Drive Reach and EngagementHere are six ideas for making more engaging content for Instagram Reels and TikTok, courtesy of Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
Diamonds Do Good Names 2026 Award RecipientsThe honorees include a notable jewelry brand, an industry veteran, and an independent retailer.
CrimeDec 15, 2025
Men Receive Life Sentences in Home Invasion Murder of Jeweler Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in the 2024 murder of Hussein “Sam” Murray.
Policies & IssuesDec 15, 2025
Sara Yood Named Co-Chair of RJC Standards CommitteeYood will serve alongside Eduard Stefanescu, the sustainability manager for C.Hafner, a precious metals refiner in Germany.
IndependentsDec 15, 2025
M.S. Rau to Open Store in AspenThe New Orleans jeweler is also hosting pop-up jewelry boutiques in New York City and Dallas.
AuctionsDec 12, 2025
13.54-Carat Paraíba Tourmaline Sets Records at Christie’sSet in a Tiffany & Co. necklace, it sold for $4.2 million, the highest price and price per carat paid for a Paraíba tourmaline at auction.
MajorsDec 12, 2025
David Webb Reveals Ice-Cold Holiday Window DisplayThe jeweler’s “Deep Freeze” display showcases its iconic jewelry designs frozen in a vintage icebox.
CollectionsDec 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Oscar Heyman’s Sphene RingTake luxury gifting to new heights this holiday season with the jeweler’s showstopping 12-carat sphene ring.
Events & AwardsDec 12, 2025
IGI Jewelry Design Contest Now Accepting SubmissionsThis year's theme is “Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean.”
